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This 25-Year-Old Sent A Lookalike To His Paternity Test To Avoid Paying Child Support

Thomas Kenny was convicted of fraud at Birmingham crown court on Friday.

This is Thomas Kenny, who made headlines after he sent another man to take a DNA test to avoid taking responsibility for his child or having to pay child maintenance.

Birmingham crown court heard that the 25-year-old was in a long-term relationship but fathered a child after an affair with another woman.

Kenny then denied any responsibility for the child, pressured the woman to have an abortion, and avoided making any payment, the Birmingham Mail reported.

When the Child Support Agency ordered a DNA test, he sent someone else to provide the sample.

Kenny already had two children with his long-term partner, who was pregnant with the second child at the time of the affair.

In his summary, Judge Philip Parker QC said Kenny was "dishonest and highly manipulative".

"One way or another you sent someone in your place," the judge said. "To deny you are the father of a child and send someone to give a false sample DNA sample is an extremely serious combination.

"How much you would have got away with defrauding the state is difficult to know, but is a minimum of £5,000 if you remained unemployed for the 18 years of the child's life."

He continued: "I have read references from people who suggest that you are normally a well-behaved individual but the facts show that you can be thoroughly dishonest and highly manipulative.

"I know you are said to be the loving father of two children by your longstanding relationship but this case shows you were prepared to disown a child of your own for financial gain. Morally you can not sink lower than that."

Kenny was convicted of fraud and sentenced to a six-month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, and will have to pay £1,385 in costs and compensation.

The Birmingham Mail reported that Heidi Kubic, defending, told the court: "He is obviously a young man who has made a big mistake in response to personal circumstances and the threat of losing contact with his two sons from his first relationship.

"He is a man who has been under enormous pressure and stress and has spent a number of months contemplating the prospect of going to custody."

The defendant's name is Thomas Kenny. An earlier version of this post misstated his name.